Benefit planned for children of slain woman

HUDSON - Family and friends of Lisa Marie Simpson will hold a benefit for her children that includes a night of her favorite karaoke and band music.

The benefit will start at 8 p.m. Dec. 13 at Rosie's Bar on the southeast corner of U.S. 19 and State Road 52.

Dream Garden, an alternative rock band, will play, but the stage is open to all bands, said entertainment manager Lydia Wallace.

Karaoke participants are asked to make a $5 donation, Wallace said.

Simpson loved to visit area bars and sing karaoke, her family said.

A raffle will be held, and all proceeds from the evening will go to Simpson's family. A trust fund has been set up for her children at People's Bank on Ridge Road. For information, call (727) 841-6677.

The body of the 35-year-old New Port Richey woman was found Nov. 29 on the side of a road in Port Richey. Police said she was killed by her estranged husband, Scott Dykstra, who had been released from jail three weeks earlier after violating his probation related to domestic violence charges.

Dykstra, 37, of Hudson was charged with first-degree murder.

Simpson sought to end the violent marriage by leaving Dykstra a year ago, family members said. His friends said he sought to reconcile with her when he got out of jail.

Simpson leaves four children, ages 12 to 17.

For more information or to donate items for the raffle, call Wallace at (727) 845-3412.